The New York Times Current History of the European War, Vol. 1, January 9, 1915 eBook

I would undertake to sound St. Petersburg,
whether it would be possible for the four disinterested
powers to offer to Austria that they would undertake
to see that she obtained full satisfaction of
her demands on Servia, provided that they did not
impair Servian sovereignty and the integrity of Servian
territory. As your Excellency is aware, Austria
has already declared her willingness to respect
them. (Established by Paper 3, July 24, and
Paper 5, July 26, German “White Book.”)

Hence, we find that all King George said he wanted
had been granted, and yet England entered into the
war. Why? Probably because she thought, as
France had expressed it, that she acted in pursuance
of her interests.

And what is Germany fighting for? Does she want
anything from anybody? She wants to be left alone;
she always wanted to be left alone; she prospered
while she was left alone; she grew while she was left
alone. Not being left alone she has to defend
herself. Hence, I bespeak for Germany and for
her side fair play, just judgment on behalf of the
American people.

French Hate and English Jealousy

By Kuno Francke.

It is easy to see why American public opinion should
have condemned by an overwhelming majority the diplomatic
acts of Austria and Hungary which have been the immediate
occasion of the terrific explosion which now shakes
the foundations of the whole civilized world.
Austria’s break with Servia and Germany’s
violation of Belgian neutrality—­the one
leading to war between Russia and Germany, the other
bringing England into the fray—­must appear
to the uninitiated as reckless and indefensible provocations
and as wanton attacks upon the laws of nations.

The thoughtful observer, however, should look beyond
the immediate occasion of this world conflict and
try to understand its underlying causes. By doing
so he will, I believe, come to the conclusion that
fundamental justice is to be found on the German side,
and that Germany has been forced to fight for her
life.